The great big Tyendinaga pow wow was last weekend, and I'm surprised how uncomfortable I felt while I was there. I'll get to that later. Here's an article from a local newspaper.
Native American pow wows have become so common these past, oh, fifteen years. The largest, from what I've heard, takes place annually in Albuquerque and the biggest in this area, in downtown Toronto at the Sky Dome, is the last weekend in November (this year: December 1 and 2). At Tyendinaga, we're regularly at the first part of August.
I always enjoyed the one in Nashville that's in October. Funny, all I remember is that it's just off one of the Old Hickory Boulevards between I-24 and I-40, east of town. I heard it's one of the largest in the Southeast. There's another each September in Mt. Juliet but last year they moved it -- still in Mt. Juliet -- to the end of that road where that new outdoor mall is now. Hot as hell, and there's no trees. Same with the other one.
My friend Benny and I used to like going to the one at MTSU each March. Indoors. They didn't have it this year. So we didn't go.
I flew home last year specifically to be at the Tyendinaga pow wow. At the time it seemed important. I suppose Mom just said, "come home" so I did. I'm that gay. Last year was such a strange year and that visit seemed to encapsulate it well. My grandfather had died in February and everyone was saying Grandma hadn't been herself since. (She died in October).
So when it came time for the pow wow a couple of my uncles who live away came home, too. Mom and I arrived late and, when we found her, Grandma just seemed so ... alone, surrounded by family. Alone, she sat in a medical chair-slash-walker. Alone, she looked out into the circle at the dancers.
I'd heard that a cousin of mine visited her earlier and she didn't remember his name. The thought terrified me when I went up to say hi. "Oh! Hi Joe," she said, and all was well.
Mom and I spent the entire day there. Perhaps because we knew my visit would be so short, perhaps because all we'd later do is go home.
My experience this year, by comparison, managed to make last year's pow wow seem fun, jovial. I live here now so there was no homecoming feel. I couldn't browse the vendor booths with the same shoppers' enthusiasm, the sense that if I miss anything now I'll not have the chance later. Fact is, I know many of the vendors and can stop at their stores at any time.
And I have regular access to all the people. The people. There seemed, this year, to be so many more people I knew. This was the single most frustrating, and embarrassing, part of the entire two-day event. So often I'd look straight through someone a relative, an old schoolmate, just anyone I should've recognized and then, not even two, three seconds later, I'd realize who that person was. I'd swing around and, snubbed, they'd have moved on to something else.
A girl I went to grade school with was working at a food booth her mother owns. Midday Saturday I stood in line, awkwardly, with another friend from when I was five years old, and I stared at that girl. Part of me knew who she was -- my friend Jodi (who I've also known since we were five) laughed when I told her this story the next day -- but part of me wasn't sure enough to say anything.
So humbly I found my way back there Sunday afternoon. I got to the front of the line. "Hey," was all she said, a small smile. My great big gay self looked back and practically cheered, "Hi!" I said, "As hard as this may be to believe, I didn't recognized you yesterday. I got my food and sat back there and stared at you for the next five minutes until I was sure. How dumb is that?"
She said, "Oh no, I knew immediately that it was you." Make me feel dumber.
I realized how much a struggle it is to be social, or acceptably anti-social (?), in a community where you or your parents or your close friends all pretty much know everyone else. I mean, I wouldn't have made it back to my seat if I'd stopped and talked with everyone I "had that feeling" that I knew.
Honestly, I felt guilty for moving away so long ago and forgetting whatever it is that most people do in these situations. Because I'd been gone so long, I know there are some (relatives, old friends, acquaintances) who now, today, are bitchin' about "how that stuck-up Joe had the nerve to look right at me and turn away."
I thought about what I'd done if this were Nashville and I was out with a friend, but that doesn't get me anywhere. Back there, I (at least) felt kind of comfortable living in my own world; nobody cares terribly if you're snubbed one day and embraced the next -- depending on your relationship, of course.
Here, it's family. Or worse, it's friends of family. Or family of friends. Everyone.
And everyone is different. Mom asked me to drop the truck off at a neighbor's garage one day a week ago so he could look at it. Of course, she's lived here forever and knows the mechanic well. Me? Hell no. But I agreed to drop the truck off.
I pulled into the lot and figured the least I could do is ask whomever I see first if it's okay to leave the keys in the ignition. I got out of the truck and immediately I saw someone. From the distance of that (small) parking lot, I said, "It's okay to leave the keys in it?" feigning my best "don't use words like whomever" voice. And dialect.
The guy looked at me as though I'd just invented stupid. He said, "If ya want to." I thought, shit, it ain't up to me. So I said, "I do" and then walked home.
And I felt so unnecessarily awkward as I walked home, like I'd done something wrong. I mean, I'm giving you business so the least you could do is act like you appreciate it. Later, though, I remembered I'd never personally met the mechanic and there's a tiny possibility I'd just asked some random person where to leave my keys.
Conclusion: I have got so much to learn.
WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.